GOES-R Series Satellites Spacecraft and Instruments

ABI is the primary instrument on the GOES-R Series for imaging Earth’s weather, climate, oceans and the environment. ABI views the Earth with 16 spectral bands (compared to five on previous GOES) and provides three times more spectral information, four times the spatial resolution, and more than five times faster coverage than the current system. Click here to read more about ABI.

GLM is the first-ever operational lightning mapper flown in geostationary orbit and measures total lightning (in-cloud and cloud-to-ground) activity. Developing severe storms often exhibit a significant increase in total lightning activity, and data from the GOES-R Series lightning mapper has great potential to increase lead time for severe thunderstorm and tornado warnings. Click here for more information about GLM.

SUVI is a telescope that observes and characterizes coronal holes, solar flares and coronal mass ejection source regions. SUVI data enables improved forecasting of space weather and early warnings of possible impacts to the Earth environment, including disruption of power utilities and communication and navigation systems as well as possible damage to orbiting satellites and the International Space Station. Click here to for more information about SUVI.

The Magnetometer provides measurements of the space environment magnetic field that controls charged particle dynamics in the outer region of the magnetosphere. These particles can be dangerous to spacecraft and human spaceflight. The geomagnetic field measurements provide alerts and warnings to satellite operators and power utilities. Click here to learn more about the Magnetometer.

SEISS is an array of sensors that monitor proton, electron and heavy ion fluxes at geosynchronous orbit. Information provided by SEISS is used for assessing radiation hazards to astronauts and satellites and to warn of high flux events, mitigating damage to radio communications. Click here to read more about SEISS.

The Spacecraft

The Launch Vehicle that will place the GOES-16 into geosynchronous orbit will be an Atlas V 541. The three numbers in the 541 designation signify a payload fairing, or nose cone, that is approximately 5 meters (16.4 feet) in diameter; four solid-rocket boosters fastened alongside the central common core booster; and a one-engine Centaur upper stage.

A launch vehicle is chosen based on how much mass the vehicle can lift into space. A two-stage Atlas V 541 launch vehicle was selected for the GOES-16 launch because it has the right liftoff capability for the heavy weight requirements.

The GOES-16 satellite will weigh 6,173 pounds, or 2,800 kilograms at launch. The launch vehicle is 191 feet tall and will weigh 1.17 million pounds